Part 15 (1/2)
”Be seated, arettes if you like,” said the coronel Coolly they did both Pedro, catching Tirin, flashed a quick s, looked squarely into each man's face in turn and seelanced around as ifsome one
”Your friend Jose has left us,” the coronel infor the look ”He disappeared in the night”
”Ah! That is why one of our canoes is gone,” said Pedro ”We are ready to start”
”You hed ”We do not want hi”
Whereat Pedro looked slightly surprised Lourenco's lips curved in a faint grin Neither ed at once into the business for which they had been summoned Succinctly he stated the purpose of the North Auides--and stopped there He said nothing of the dangers ahead, mentioned no reward, did not even ask the ar and leaned back in his chair
A silence followed Again Lourenco looked searchingly into the face of each A occasional puffs froested, tentatively:
”We will pay well--”
Both the bushmen frowned The coronel spoke in a tone of mild reproof:
”Senhor, it is not a ueiros_”
”Pardon,” said Knowlton, and thereafter held his tongue
Deliberately Lourenco finished his ser, and spoke for the first tiaze rested on McKay
”I am”
”And do I understand that we shall at all times be subject to your orders?”
”In case any orders are necessary--yes But I assume that you will not need comlanced at Pedro The latter met the look fron But when Lourenco turned again to McKay he spoke as if all were arranged
”When do we start, Capitao?”
Ti and cackled
”By cripes! there ain't no lost uys Hey, Cap?”
McKay sether” he said ”Lourenco and Pedro, this is not a one-man party We are three comrades, who now become five If at any time one man needs to command, I, as senior officer, will take that co”
”Just so,” Lourenco agreed ”If it were otherwise you would still be three men--not five Since that is plain, letcanoe had best stay here, also everything you do not need in the bush Two light canoes are faster, easier to handle and to hide Pedro and I have our own canoe and will provide our own supplies We will pick out a three-man boat for you and load it hat you select fros his own paddle”
”_Cada qual por si e Deus por todos_ Each for himself and God for us all,” Pedro summarized
”That's the dope,” applauded Tim ”Now say, Renzo, old feller, what d'ye know about these here, now, Red Bones up above here? And have ye got anything on that Raposy guy?”
Lourenco shook his head